A HOME FOR THE LONELY

Yesterday morning Melissa and the kids and I had the privilege of being invited along to share in the moment when the kids from The Potter's House got their first glimpse of their home-to-be.  Jane knew we'd want to be a part of it and, besides, she needed another driver and vehicle to help transport the adult workers and 19 orphans about three miles down the road.

We were excited to bring along Ethan, whose parents work at the Emmaus Biblical Seminary.  Ethan had stayed the night at our house and he jumped right in with the orphans - then again, they didn't give him any other option!



After receiving a warm greeting from the kids, we loaded them all up and went for a drive.

This was our first look at the house, too, and it is so much better than the one that fell through a couple of weeks ago.  The landlord gave the director a good rental price when he found out the house was going to be used for orphans.  He was even in the process of having walls inside and out repainted when we showed up.

 

 

 

The house is gorgeous, really.  Inside and out.

 

 

 

 The boys were excited about how much roomier and brighter their bedroom will be.  And how they will have their own bathroom - indoors!

The second floor has a balcony that the boys might use for extra sleeping space. And it has a wonderful view of the surrounding area.

The kids were feeling pretty content with their new home, to say the least.  This little guy seems to be thinking, "Yeah, I can picture myself living here."

Jane sat all the orphans down and gave them a lecture about how, with all the extra space, they would all have greater responsibilities in helping to keep their new home clean and orderly.  They all agreed.

 The kids seemed mostly quiet and thoughtful as they explored their new surrounding...

 

But once they had scattered to look in every closet and behind every door, they slowly gathered down in front of the house again.

 

Several kids spent some time caressing the hair on my arms for some reason!

 



And they swamped Samuel...

And then they all got downright playful ... like I had never seen them before. I mean, they always like to mug for the camera, but this time ...

 

 

 There was a party breaking out, complete with games and dancing and stunts before the whole crowd.

 

 

Even the Director got in on the action, showing the kids how he could hold his right toe in his left hand and then (almost) jump over it with his left leg.

Sing to God, sing praises to His name;
Lift up a song for Him who rides through the deserts,
Whose name is the Lord, and exult before Him.
A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows,
Is God in His holy habitation.
God makes a home for the lonely;
He leads out the prisoners into prosperity,
Only the rebellious dwell in a parched land.  (Psalm 68:4-6)



And then the kids "lifted up a song for Him who rides through the deserts" and they prayed.  I am constantly amazed by these kids.  God HAS made a home for these kids already, regardless of where the house may be.

What a joyful morning!  It's going to be a good change for them.